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NFL GREEK INSIDER WEEK 13

Houston -7 over Tennessee (bought half):
The Texans (10-1) can clinch their second straight playoff berth with a win or tie Sunday when they visit Tennessee, where they've won two of the last three meetings. A win would also give Houston (10-1) 11 victories for the first time in franchise history. The Titans (4-7) had an opportunity last week after their bye to put themselves within one game of the AFC's final playoff spot. Instead they became the first visiting team to lose in Jacksonville this season, falling 24-19.

The Titans' 327.7 yards per game rank 24th and their 17.5 first downs are 29th. They settled for five field-goal attempts against the Jaguars. Jake Locker is 32 of 61 for 383 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in two games since returning from a shoulder injury he initially suffered early in a 38-14 loss at Houston on Sept. 30. Houston's Arian Foster leads the league with 12 rushing touchdowns and is second with 1,064 yards, and Ben Tate could be back in the mix Sunday after missing four straight games with a hamstring injury.

Andre Johnson posted the best two-game total of receiving yards in NFL history with 461 in the last two contests, and he could be in for another big day against a Titans defense that gave up eight passing plays of more than 20 yards to the Jaguars. Tennessee's Chris Johnson has averaged 122.0 rushing yards in his last six games dating back to Oct. 11, the second-most in the NFL during that span. He recorded 141 yards on 25 carries against Houston on Sept. 30, but was held to 18 yards on 10 attempts in a 41-7 home loss to the Texans last season.

This should be a game that the Texans easily win. Tennessee has not had much of a home advantage thus far this year and despite two weeks of struggling against inferior teams, the Texans will live up to their billing and return to the form representing the AFC's elite.

For the latest sports news, capper picks and tracker results, turn to JTG, the leader in BTB information

New England -9 over Miami:
After their latest division victory turned into a laugher, the Patriots look to clinch their ninth East title in 10 seasons by beating the Miami Dolphins for a fifth consecutive time Sunday. New England (8-3) is 28-6 in divisional play over the past six seasons, winning eight in a row since a loss at Buffalo in Week 3 of 2011. The most lopsided victory in that recent stretch came on Thanksgiving with a 49-19 road rout of the New York Jets. The Patriots broke the game open by tying a franchise record with 35 points in the second quarter, including three touchdowns in a span of 52 seconds en route to their fifth win in a row.

The Patriots have the NFL's best offense, averaging 435.8 yards and 37.0 points. They also play three of their remaining five games against teams with losing records - two against the Dolphins and another against Jacksonville. New England has been practically unstoppable during its winning streak, averaging 43.8 points with six of its staggering 28 touchdowns coming via the defense and special teams. Tom Brady has been superb in that stretch, completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 1,454 yards with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions while compiling a 116.3 passer rating. He tossed three of those TDs last week, adding another on a 1-yard plunge.

One area that's mattered all season is turnovers. The Patriots' offense has turned the ball over a league-low eight times, while the 32 created by the defense ranks only behind Chicago's 33. New England has forced 16 turnovers while giving it away twice during its winning streak. The Dolphins (5-6) are trying to return to .500 by building on last weekend's 24-21 win over Seattle. Rookie Ryan Tannehill brought Miami back in the fourth quarter by throwing a touchdown to Charles Clay with 5:13 left before Dan Carpenter hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired. Despite the dramatics, Tannehill has two touchdowns compared to six interceptions over the past three games. He's aware those mistakes will need to stop if Miami is to compete with New England.

Tannehill should be helped by a rejuvenated running game that totaled 189 yards last week as Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas reached the end zone. Miami hadn't managed a 100-yard game since gaining 185 in a 23-20 overtime loss to the Jets in Week 3. The Dolphins are also trying to continue improving their run defense, which held the Seahawks to 96 yards after surrendering an average of 132.2 yards over the previous five games.

The Dolphins defense has struggled heavily as given the direction these two teams have gone in over the last month, New England is likely to take control on the ground early opening up the passing game for Brady late in the contest. Miami may win the battle in time of possession, but only because New England's potent offense should score early and often until it's time to call off the dogs.

For the latest sports news, capper picks and tracker results, turn to JTG, the leader in BTB information

San Francisco -7 over St. Louis: (bought half)
Since taking over for Alex Smith 3 weeks ago after Smith sustained a blow to the head when these two teams last met, Colin Kaepernick looks to help extend San Francisco's unbeaten streak to six while making his third consecutive start Sunday at St. Louis. Smith suffered a concussion while scrambling in the second quarter against the Rams on Nov. 11, but he remained in the game and led a touchdown drive before heading to the locker room. Kaepernick finished that game and went 11 for 17 for 117 yards while adding 66 yards and a touchdown rushing as the teams played to a 24-all tie. Smith was forced to sit out a 32-7 victory over Chicago the next Monday night, and Kaepernick shined again.

He went 16 for 23 for 243 yards and two touchdowns, earning another start against New Orleans last Sunday despite Smith being cleared to play. Kaepernick finished 16 of 25 with a TD pass while rushing for another score in a 31-21 win. Since replacing Smith against St. Louis, Kaepernick has a 104.1 passer rating while tossing three touchdowns and running for two more.

Frank Gore, who ran for 83 yards and caught a 6-yard TD pass from Kaepernick last week, seems to feel comfortable in the mix given his durability following a stout offensive line and regardless of who is under center. Gore has scored seven touchdowns as San Francisco has won four of five road meetings with the Rams.

St. Louis (4-6-1) will be looking to build off a 31-17 road win over Arizona last week that ended a five-game winless streak. It forced a season-best four turnovers after not forcing any during its winless run. Top wide receiver Danny Amendola had 11 catches for 102 yards in the first meeting with the 49ers, but he played only seven snaps last week and caught a 38-yard pass from Sam Bradford while being limited due to a heel injury. Rookie Chris Givens filled in nicely last week, finishing with career highs of five catches and 115 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown.

Steven Jackson rushed for 101 yards and a score against the 49ers in the first meeting and is coming off a season-best 139-yard performance against Arizona, helping St. Louis run for a season-high 173. The 49ers, though, have allowed only 144 rushing yards over their last two games and rank fourth in the NFL, giving up 91.1 per contest.

The 49ers are in the midst of moving forward into the Colin Kaepernick era, while simultaneously trying to best position themselves for the postseason. The Rams are fighting for league respect in a rebuilding year. Go with the Niners who have much more to play for as the offense, defense and special teams continue to click on all cylinders.

For the latest sports news, capper picks and tracker results, turn to JTG, the leader in BTB information

Cleveland/Oakland over 39.5:
Oakland will try to avoid its first five-game losing streak in five seasons - and extend the Browns' franchise-record 12-game road skid - on Sunday when Cleveland rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden could return from a concussion. Expectations were high heading after the Raiders (3-8) finished one game shy of the playoffs in 2011, but those good feelings are gone as the team is riding a 4 game losing streak.

The Carson Palmer-led offense generated a season-low 218 yards in last Sunday's 34-10 loss at Cincinnati, and the team has now lost three straight by 21 or more for the first time in franchise history. Oakland, though, could get a boost in the backfield with running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson practicing after each missed the last three games with ankle sprains.

The Browns (3-8) would likely be in a better position to win back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 18-25, 2011, if Weeden can go. The 29-year-old rookie suffered a concussion late in last Sunday's 20-14 win over Pittsburgh, but he was cleared to practice on Wednesday. The Raiders' defense can't be looking forward to seeing Trent Richardson in the backfield after surrendering 728 rushing yards and nine scores since the team's last victory. Richardson has 407 rushing yards and two TDs over his last four games after finishing with 85 yards, including a go-ahead 15-yard score in the third quarter, last Sunday.

Both of these teams seem to be playing for nothing more than pride as we enter the final quarter of the campaign. With Weeden returning and Oakland's vulnerability to stop anybody, combined with Palmer who should have more anticipated success against a lesser opponent, we should see some points scored on both sides this afternoon.

Best of luck to all in week 13.

For the latest sports news, capper picks and tracker results, turn to JTG, the leader in BTB information

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